A street barricade erected by the rebels in Dublin during the Rising [Wikipedia]
A Lutonian visiting friends in Ireland found himself dramatically caught up in the the Easter Rising in Dublin. Mr Sydney F. Pestell had intended to spend just a weekend in the Irish capital but the declaration of martial law meant he had to stay there for a fortnight with no means of telling his firm in Luton of his whereabouts or reasons for delay in returning.
Mr Pestell, manager of ladies straw hat manufacturers Messrs Barford and Sons, gave his story to the Saturday Telegraph on his return to Luton.
The son of High Town dairyman Mr F. W. Pestell of Burr Street, he said: "I had been there three days when martial law was proclaimed, and the military restrictions kept people indoors. One of my most exciting experiences was when attempting to leave the city.
"I was in a jaunting car, with the intention of catching a train, when at the corner of North Circular Road I was held up by a mob of rebels, who promptly ordered the driver and myself to dismount. They then up-ended the car, and with motors and other vehicles formed a barricade behind which they worked with machine guns and rifles.
"It was a ghastly experience, this street firing. The rebels put up a stiff fight behind this barricade for three or four days. The military brought up their heavy gunnery, rifles being of very little use against the rebels' machine guns behind the barricades and the guns in the adjacent houses. Eventually the military demolished a couple of houses, and the rebels surrendered.
"At another street corner I saw five civilians shot, and one soldier. And at one moment a couple of bullets whistled all too unpleasantly near my head. I had a couple of narrow escapes of being shot, and the recollection of the scene will never be effaced from my memory whilst I live.
"It was impossible to get away from the city even with passes issued at military headquarters by the Commanding Officer. I was questioned by the Scotland Yard detectives, and it was not until I met one in authority who happened to know the name of Messrs Barford and Sons, King Street, Luton, that I found the necessary 'open sesame'. It was fortunate for me that the particular detective was acquainted with this firm, or I should not have got through as I did.
"The firing was going on night and day, in all parts of the city, and the rebels were in possession of every notable public building, the Post Office included. When I got away on Wednesday evening they were still fighting, and the beautiful Sackville Street - one of the finest streets in the world - was a sorry spectacle. Buildings had been demolished, and the entrances to the side streets had been obliterated.
"On reaching the mail boat on which I returned to this country I was thoroughly searched, and right glad I was to escape from such a mad scene of destruction of life and property. After the first three days I had been confined to the house, until the day I got away, and no telegrams being possible I was naturally not a little troubled as to the anxiety of my friends.
"The concussion of the heavy guns smashed all the windows within half a mile, and I noticed that most of the rebels were reckless young fellows. Many of the prisoners were found with ample gold upon them, evidently supplied by the Huns, for on their proclamation that admitted they had allies on the Continent and in Germany. Looting was in progress in every shop and quarter.
"No, I am not likely ever to forget it."
A brother of a member of the Luton News/Saturday Telegraph staff was also in Dublin at the time of the Easter Rising and gave his account.
He wrote: "In a besieged city one cannot get to know what is transpiring half a mile away. Starling and exaggerated rumours are set abroad every minute of the day, and we have been treated to some extraordinary sample during the past week.
"We were told that the Germans had landed in Ireland, that England had been invaded, that Liverpool, Manchester and other cities were in revolt, that the military could not subdue the rebellion, and a thousands and one similar yarns. You can imagine the state of suspense and anxiety we have been placed in.
"Added to all this, the whizzing of bullets, the clicking of machine guns, the crackling of rifles, living amongst people in whom you could not place the slightest confidence, I can tell you it has been far from pleasant residing in Dublin.
"We have not seen any newspapers for over a week, and we are wondering what has been transpiring in England and France. The military have been much tighter today (Monday) in enforcing their regulations. It has been a week of blood and fire, death and devastation have followed in dramatic reality. The pen fails to describe and words cannot possibly relate the terrible facts connected with the revolution.
"One eye witness of some of the carnage told me on Wednesday that it surpasses the acconts of the French Revolution. Dead men have lain in the streets for days, the hospitals are full up with wounded and dying, food has risen to famine prices, looting has been carried on with the utmost ferocity. People have been turned out of their houses and taken refuge in the suburbs, and yet in the midst of all this horror and murderous confusion we are safe."
A later message says: "We had a nice little surprise yesterday. Our landlady supplies us with meat, but of course their shop being in the heart of the city we could not get any meat this week. The cart pulled up in front of our door and a piece of neck of mutton was handed in. The neighbours appeared astounded, and we barricaded the doors well last night, so that the meat should not disappear.
"There has been a great lull in the firing the last few days, and there is a general quietness. I believe the soldiers have the affair sized up. I can't write more as I have to cycle a distance to give this letter to a man who is going up to Belfast. Don't know when I may get another letter through."
[Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: May 6th, 1916]